Having its origin from the Sukhoi SU 27 ”flanker” fighter aircraft,the Sukhoi SU 35 is considered by many as Russia’s most advanced fighter aircraft.The SU 35 inaugurated the Paris Air Show 2013 with thunder.The single-seater, twin-engine supermaneuverable multirole fighter, designed by Sukhoi and built by Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO) first flew into the skies in the 1980s.

The SU-35 is built to change direction suddenly while maintaining control, meant for avoiding missiles. In Paris, Bogdan the SU 35 pulled off barrel rolls, flying upside down, and went into “falling leaf” mode — where the jet looks like it’s going to fall out of the air.

The SU 35 is designed to serve as an interim fighter prior to the arrival of the Sukhoi PAK FA.The Su-35 is meant to match the speed and maneuverability of the United States’ 5th generation fighter, the F-22 Raptor. Powered by twin Luylka AL31FM turbofan engines,known as thrust vectoring, this engine technology gives the Su-35 greater control over its angular velocity and altitude. The Su-35 has a top speed of 2,400 km/h (1491 mph) when operating at altitude, and has a maximum range of 3,600 kilometers (2237 miles).

The reinforced airframe sees extensive use of titanium alloys, increasing its durability to some 30 years or 6,000 service hours.The Su-35 employs an Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array radar that constitutes an essential component of the aircraft’s fire-control system. The radar is capable of detecting a 3 m2 (32 sq ft) aerial target at a distance of 400 kilometres (250 mi); and can track 30 airborne targets and engage eight of them at the same time.Complemented by an OLS-35 optoelectronic targeting system that provides laser ranging and TV and infrared detection,the Su-35 is compatible with a multitude of long- and short-range air-to-air missiles, precision and unguided air-to-ground weaponry that include missiles, fuel-air bombs and rockets. A maximum weapon payload of 8 tonnes (18,000 lb) can be carried on the fourteen hard points.

The Su-35S is the first non-US aircraft to have substantial supercruise ability (sustained cruising at supersonic speed without the use of afterburners), which gives it a crucial energy advantage against non-supercruising opponents.

VARIANTS OF THE SUKHOI SU 35

Su-27M/Su-35 Single-seat fighter.

Su-35UB Two-seat trainer. Features taller vertical stabilizers and a forward fuselage similar to the Su-30.

Su-35BM Single-seat fighter with upgraded avionics and various modifications to the airframe. Su-35BM is informal name.

Su-35S Designation of the modernized Su-35 variant of the Russian Air Force.

Su-37 Thrust-vectoring demonstrator.

General characteristics

Crew: 1

Length: 21.9 m (72.9 ft)

Wingspan: 15.3 m (50.2 ft) (with wingtip pods)

Height: 5.90 m (19.4 ft)

Wing area: 62.0 m² (667 ft²)

Empty weight: 18,400 kg (40,570 lb)

Loaded weight: 25,300 kg (56,660 lb)

Max. takeoff weight: 34,500 kg (76,060 lb)

Powerplant: 2 × Saturn 117S with TVC nozzle turbofan

Dry thrust: 8,800 kgf (86.3 kN, 19,400 lbf) each

Thrust with afterburner: 14,500 kgf (142 kN, 31,900 lbf) each

Fuel capacity: 14,350 litres (3,790 US gal)

Performance

Maximum speed: Mach 2.25 (2,390 km/h, 1,490 mph) at altitude

Range:

High altitude: 3,600 km (1,940 nmi)

Ground level: 1,580 km (850 nmi)

Ferry range: 4,500 km (2,430 nmi) with 2 external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,100 ft)

Rate of climb: >280 m/s (>55,100 ft/min)

Wing loading: 408 kg/m² (84.9 lb/ft²)

Thrust/weight: 1.13

Armament

Guns: 1 × 30 mm GSh-30 internal cannon with 150 rounds

Hardpoints: 14 hardpoints, consting of 2 wingtip rails, and 12 wing and fuselage stations with a capacity of 8,000 kg (17,630 lb) of ordnance, and provisions to carry combinations of: